Mail-box



(No Model.) l

' A. C. BRUSEAU.

MAIL BOX.

1\I o.l592`.,903. Patented Nov. 2, 1897.

Y WZTNESSES 17 i zr' /NVENTOR 4 ma Noam: crans co. pHoro-mma. wAsmNnToN. Dv cv `UNITED STATES ALBERT c. BRUSEAU, oE MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE.

MAIL-BOX.

SPECIFICATIONforming part of Letters Patent No.

592,903, dated November 2, 1897.

Application tied February 25,1897.. 'Serin No. 624,923. (No man.)

To @ZZ whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, ALBERT C. BEUSEAU, a citizen of the United States, residing at Memphis, Tennessee, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mail-Boxes and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in thev art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention has reference to a novel construction of a mail-box, and has for its object to provide an inexpensive device of this character provided with devices for locking the same and from which the letters can be readily removed.

The invention consists inthe features of construction hereinafter fully described and specifically claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, Figure 1 is a vertical section showing the parts in the position they assume when the box is closed. Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view. Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the position of the parts when the box is open. Fig. 4 is a detail sectional view on the line 4 4 of Fig. 2.

Referring nowto the drawings, 1 indicates a box which is provided at its upper end with a slot 2 to receive the letters and with a cover 3, pivoted to the upper end. A groove 4 is made around the slot 2 and is provided with an opening 5. This groove and opening serve to collect and carry off water that 'may iind its way beneath the cover. The front portion of the box is provided with an opening 6 at its upper end to allow the material to be removed while the front side of the box is closed by the slide 7, having marginal guides 8 to receive the flanges 9 at the front edges of the sides of the box. The sides are also provided with stops 10 to engage the stops 11-on the slide to limit the downward movement of the latter. The upward movement of the slide is limited by a flange 12 on the bottom thereof, that engages the lower edge of the box. It is understood, of course, that the lower end of the box is closed, but is provided with a false bottom 13 to provide a chamber or receptacle14. Situated within the box is a pivoted plate l5 at the rear side thereof. This plate 15 is provided at its lower in the county of Shelby and State of end with an arm 16, that extends into the receptacle 14 and is engaged by a spring 17, situated therein. The said arm 16 is in engagement with the rear end of a bolt 18, movable in guides on the lower face of the false bottom 13 and adapted to enter an opening 19 in the slide 7.

The bolt-operating mechanism comprises a rock-shaft 20, arranged below and transversely'of the bolt, one end being journaled in the wall of the receptacle and the other end being supported in a bracket 21. The for- Ward end of this rock-shaft is provided with a slot in which a latch 22 is pivotally arranged, one end of which is adapted to engage a depression 21l in the bracket 21, and a linger 23 projects from the rock-shaft and engages with the bolt 18, so that when the catch is in engagement with the depression in the bracket a. rotative movement of the rock-shaft and the consequent withdrawal of the bolt is pre- ,vented.

A sleeve or collar 24 is arranged upon the outer end of the rock-shaft 2O and is capable of independent movement thereon, itsouter extremity being provided with an'opening large enough only to 'receive the key which is adapted to engage with the end of the latch to raise the opposite end out of engagement with the depression in the bracket and thus admit of the rotation of the rock-shaft to withdraw the bolt and unlock the box.

The approach to the latch is obstructed by one or more pins or projections 24a, so that the insertion of a key not intended for the box will be prevented, although the sleeve or collar may freely rotate, but it is, of course, understood that the proper key will be provided with openings, which will register with the projections referred to, and thus permit of its engagement with the latch to unlock the` box. The front piece of the box, as well as the slide, are each provided with openings that are situated opposite each other when the slide is closed, whereby the contents of i the box may be seen without moving the slide.

Itis seen from the foregoing description that normally the spring 17 holds the plate 15 at the rear side of the box, but that when the key is used to press the bolt 18 to the rear and thus allow the slide to be moved downwardly said bolt, engaging the lower end IOO of the arm 1G, serves to throw the plate to the front and thus move the letters and other inail-matter within the box toward the front side thereof, that they may be readily removed.

It is seen that as the slide is raised again to close the front of the box the spring 17 serves to throw the plate 15 against the back of the box, as well as to move the bolt into the opening 10 and thus lock the slide.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new isl. A mail-box having a slot and hinged cover at its upper end, a groove around said slot having an opening at its lowest point, an opening in the front side of the box, and a slide and locking devices.

A inail-box having a slot at its upper end, an opening in the front side thereof, a slide secured to the front side of the box, a pivoted plate seated within said box and having an arm extending into the chamber below the box, a spring engaging said arm, a movable bolt engaging said spring, and an opening in the slide to receive said bolt, substantially as described.

3. A mail-box having a slot at its upper end, an opening in the front side ihereof, a

slide secured to the front side of said box, a pivoted plate seated within said box and having an arm extending into the chamber below the box, a movable bolt engaging said spring, a rock-shaft engaging said bolt and means to lock said shaft against rotative movement to withdraw the bolt, substantially as described.

4. A mail-box having a slot at its upper end, an opening in the front side thereof, a slide secured to the front side of the box, a pivoted plate seated within said box and having an arm extending into the chamber below the box, a movable bolt engaging said spring, a 'slotted' rock-shaft engaging said bolt and being provided with a pivotal latch, adapted to engage a depression to prevent rotative movement ot' the rock-shaft, and a sleeve or collar arranged upon the roek-shaft provided with a key-opening, and projections located therein, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof l have signed Jthis specification in the presence of two subscrib ing witnesses.

ALBERT C. BRUSEAU.

lVitn esses:

S. A. CARTER, Il. SLoAN. 

